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Research degrees

Research degrees

Degrees by Research
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)

To apply for a PhD at LSTM you can:

A) Apply for an advertised position with funding attached. Advertised positions can be found on http://phd.com/ or http://www.lstmliverpool.ac.uk/research/lstm-phd-studentships/

B)   Apply for a PhD with a research project of your own. You would need to self-fund your studies as we do not have resources to support individual projects.

Applications and enquiries should be sent to Eleanor Carr, Research Degrees Administrator:
e.carr@liv.ac.uk / 0151 705 3359

A research degree involves a period of research study in an area appropriate to the needs of the particular student, followed by the submission of a thesis.

PhD studies are undertaken over a period of between two and four years (full-time) or four and seven years (part-time).

MPhil studies take between one and two years (full-time), or two and four years (part-time).

MD studies take a minimum of two years (part-time).

There are opportunities for both laboratory and field-based research, depending on the disciplinary area selected.

In 2012/13 there were some 105 Postgraduate Research (PGR) students in LSTM from 32 different countries.

All PGR students studying for a higher degree by research at LSTM must either complete a training programme, or gain exemption from all or part of it, before they can submit their thesis. Students at LSTM follow the University of Liverpool PGR Development Programme http://www.liv.ac.uk/pgr-development/

Applying for a research degree

Studies towards a research degree are very demanding, requiring commitment for a long period of time. Before encouraging applicants to undertake such studies, we need to establish the applicants' motivations, what is hoped to be gained by these studies and how the programme is to be undertaken.

Briefly, we need the following information:

• A completed application form
• A research proposal
• Two academic reference letters in support of your application
• Proof of funding or sponsorship
• Evidence of English language ability
• Educational certificates

Application and reference forms can be downloaded from the links on the left hand side of this page. Please consult the guidance notes before completing your application form.

Entry Requirements

It is LSTM's policy to select students for PhD or MPhil research who have obtained, or are expected to obtain, a First Class Honours or Upper Second Class Honours degree or international equivalent, or a Masters degree or international equivalent, in an appropriate subject. Students with insufficient qualifications may be recommended to take one of our Masters programmes in the first instance. Students who wish to apply for an MD degree need to have obtained a medical degree which is registerable in the United Kingdom, i.e. obtained from an approved university.